Presentation on theme: "The Earth as a System Consists of: - Geosphere - Hydrosphere"— Presentation transcript:

2 The Geosphere CompositionThe solid part of the Earth (rocks, minerals, soil, etc.)Most of the geosphere is below the surfaceThicknessWhat is it?Lithosphere15-300kmCool, rigid layer that includes the crust; divided into platesAsthenosphere250kmPlastic layer of the mantle that flows slowly, allowing plates above it to moveOuter Core2200kmLiquid nickel and ironInner Core1228kmSolid nickel and iron

3 The Geosphere Plate TectonicsLook at the world map. Does anything look like it could fit together like a puzzle?Pangaea – Wegener’s idea that all of Earth’s continents were joined into one giant landmass 200 million years ago.

6 Destruction, injuries, deathThe GeosphereEarthquakesVolcanic EruptionsHow does it happen?Earth’s crust slips along a fault (crack in the crust)Local EffectsDestruction, injuries, deathGlobal EffectsTsunamisWhich of these geologic hazards poses the greatest threat to the environment? Why?

7 The Geosphere Destruction, injuries, death Tsunamis EarthquakesVolcanic EruptionsHow does it happen?Earth’s crust slips along a fault (crack in the crust)Pressure of magma inside the volcano becomes so great that it blows open the solid surface.Local EffectsDestruction, injuries, deathDestruction, injuries, death, mudflows, improved soil fertilityGlobal EffectsTsunamisAsh clouds from major eruptions can block sunlight & change drop the average global temp.

8 The Geosphere ErosionRocks on the surface are changed by wind, running water, and weather.Erosion is the removal and transport of weathered surface materials.Over long periods of time, erosion can wear away entire mountains and produce spectacular landforms.

9 The Atmosphere The atmosphere is a mixture if gases surrounding EarthComposition: Air Pressure:air pressure as altitude

11 Energy in the AtmosphereRadiation – transfer of energy in waves (ex: sunlight)Conduction – flow of heat from objects that are touchingConvection – hot fluids rise and cool fluids sink

12 Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect - atmospheric gases (greenhouse gases) trap heat near the Earth.Without the Greenhouse Effect the Earth would be too cold for life to exist!

13 The HydrosphereIncludes all of the water on or near the Earth’s surface (oceans, lakes, rivers, polar icecaps, groundwater, & clouds)

14 The Water Cycle is the continuous movement of water into the air, onto the land, and then back to water sources.- Evaporation – the change of state from a liquid to a gas (liquid water to water vapor)Condensation – the change of state from a gas to a liquid (water vapor to liquid water)Precipitation – any form of water that falls to Earth’s surface from clouds (rain, snow, etc.)Runoff – excess water that flows off of the surface

15 The Hydrosphere The Water CycleThink-Pair- ShareHow are all of Earth’s spheres (geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere) connected by the water cycle?

17 The Hydrosphere Ocean CurrentsSurface CurrentsCaused by wind patternsInfluence climates of land areas they flow pastEx: The Gulf Stream (warm surface current) makes the British Isles warmer than other areas at the same latitude)Deep CurrentsCaused when cold, dense polar water sinks below warmer, less dense water and flows toward the equator

18 Surface Ocean CurrentsCommon surface ocean currents show the flow of the seaIn 1993, thousands of rubber duckies washed up on Alaskan beaches. Oceanographers determined that a ship carrying the toys lost a container during a storm near Hawaii in The ducks were used to map ocean currents.

19 Oceans: The Global Temperature RegulatorThe main function of the world ocean is to:Absorb & store energy from the sunHow?Water absorbs and releases heat slower than land does.**Without the ocean, the temperature of Earth’s atmosphere would be too extreme for life

20 Fresh Water Only 3% of Earth’s water is freshMost freshwater is held in polar icecaps and glaciersLess than 1% of all Earth’s water is groundwaterRain and melted snow sinks into the ground forming groundwater. A rock layer called an Aquifer stores and allows the flow of groundwater.Groundwater gives people drinking water and supplies water for many agricultural & industrial needs

21 The biosphere is the narrow layer of Earth where life can exist.Life on Earth requires:Liquid waterTemperatures between 10°C and 40°CSource of energya. Plants & algae use sunlight to make foodb. Most other organisms get energy from what they eatEarth is a closed system – energy is transferred among living things through the food chain.